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Global Scholar-in-Training Awards Recipients

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is proud to offer the Global Scholars-in-Training Awards (GSITA), an initiative dedicated to advancing the career development of outstanding early-career scientists from countries building cancer research capacity. Now in its eighth year, the GSITA program will support promising investigators from 13 countries—Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, India, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, South Africa, and Tanzania—by enabling their participation in the AACR Annual Meeting 2026 in San Diego, California.

This impactful program is made possible through the generous support of valued partners. Among this year’s cohort, five scholars from Africa have been selected as recipients of the inaugural AACR-Amgen Global Scholars-in-Training Awards (Amgen GSITA), in partnership with Amgen and AACR, reflecting a strategic investment in strengthening cancer research capacity across the African continent. In addition, nine exceptional female scholars have been supported by an independent educational grant from Victoria Secret’s Global Fund, in partnership with Pelotonia and AACR, underscoring a shared commitment to advancing women’s cancer research and leadership globally.

Together, these partnerships are empowering the next generation of global cancer researchers and accelerating progress toward a world free from cancer.

AACR-AMGEN GSITA RecipientS

Mounia Benbelkacem, PhD

University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB), Algeria

Abstract 0439: Inhibition of extracellular matrix remodeling and metastatic activity by dichloroacetate and chloroquine in the presence of arsenite in 4nqo-induced oral squamous cell carcinoma

Kenn Chi Ndi, MD, DES

Centre Hospitalier Régional d’Ebolowa, Cameroon

Abstract 3596: Characterizing BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in Cameroonian breast cancer patients: Efforts towards bridging the genomic gap in Africa

Abdel-Ilah Aziz, MSc

UM6P Hospitals, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Benguerir, Morocco

Abstract 4800: Targeting CD160 as an immunotherapy approach to modulate tumor angiogenesis and improve outcomes in triple-negative breast cancer

Maria Nomusa Sikhakhane, PhD

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, South Africa

Abstract 7522: Ex vivo drug sensitivity and in silico evaluation of phytochemicals in gynaecological cancers

Atukuzwe Kanyandekwe Kahakwa, MBBS, MMed

Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC), Tanzania

Abstract 0216: Exploring viral influence on susceptibility to retinoblastoma in northern Tanzania: The ENVISION-Tanzania study

AACR-Pelotonia GSITA Recipients

Luisina Ripari, MS

Fundación para la Lucha de las Enfermedades Neurológicas de la Infancia (FLENI), Argentina

Abstract 4784: Galectin-1 as a central regulator of angiogenesis and metabolic reprogramming in glioblastoma

Maria Mercedes Debernardi, PhD

Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (BIOMED-UCA-CONICET), Argentina

Abstract 7702: Integrin αvβ3-driven secretome remodeling uncovers THBS1 as a potential prognostic mediator in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

Paula Sabrina Ledesma Bazán, PhD

University of Buenos Aires (CONICET-IQUIBICEN), Argentina

Abstract 5908: PCGEM1 Overload: Triggering Lethal Stress Responses in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Mariana Bisarro Dos Reis, PhD

Molecular Oncology Research Center (CPOM), Barretos Câncer Hospital, Brazil

Abstract 3621: Fecal microbiome signatures for early detection of colorectal cancer and precursor lesions

Laura Rey-Vargas, MSc, PhD

Pontificia Javeriana University, Colombia

Abstract 3589: Ancestry-driven transcriptional regulation of breast cancer genes through cis- and trans-eQTLs in Colombian populations

Anitha Pandi, MSc

Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, India

Abstract 5923: Targeting the oncogenic RNA m6A reader YTHDF2 inhibits oral squamous cell carcinoma by preventing p53 degradation

Geeta S Boora

Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India

Abstract 2119: Spatial gene expression profile of primary tumor is associated with the release of aggressive CTCs from the invasive front, leading to early recurrence in OSCC

Sara Elbanna

Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan

Abstract 2486: Racial differences in clinical and cytogenetic features of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia

Muna Mohammed Abdullah Al Dalali, MS

Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman

Abstract 0497: Transcriptomic Predictors of Therapy Response Across Age Groups in an Omani Breast Cancer Cohort

AACR GSITA RECIPIENTs

Fnu Saravanan Sampoornam Pape, MDS

Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences., KIIT University, Bhubaneshwar, India

Abstract 5097: Salivary transcriptomic signatures reveal early molecular reprogramming in oral potentially malignant disorders: A non-invasive precision oncology approach in Indian patients

Jaber Husam Jaradat, MD

Faculty of Medicine, Mutah University, Jordan

Abstract 7451: Integrated bulk and single cell transcriptomics reveal PARL as a mitochondrial regulator associated with immunometabolic reprogramming and favorable prognosis in lung squamous cell carcinoma

Jehad Amer Yasin

School of Medicine, University of Jordan, Jordan

Abstract 4112: Identification of NTRK missense mutations in glioblastoma multiforme: Insights from AACR Project GENIE and structural-functional analyses

Muaath Ismail Alsufi

Faculty of Medicine, University of Jordan, Jordan

Abstract 1045: A novel epithelial tumor signature predicts survival and response to PD-1 blockade in non-small cell lung cancer

Mohd Suffian Azizan, PhD

Cancer Research Malaysia, Malaysia

Abstract 6861: NeonDisco: A Nextflow-driven in silico discovery pipeline prioritizing shared candidates from expanded neoantigen search space

Muhibullah Ghafoorzai, MBBS

Precision Medicine Lab, Pakistan

Abstract 2122: Integrative transcriptomic analysis identifies malaria-associated signaling pathways and repurposable drug candidates for ovarian cancer metastasis